Congratulations on launching your new franchise in the UK! As you embark on this exciting journey, it’s crucial to recognise the power of social media in building and promoting your brand. 

In this blog, Those Who Can and our trusted franchisors will provide you with valuable tips, advice, and things to avoid when managing your social media platforms and accounts. 

Know Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is the foundation of a successful social media strategy. Research and identify the demographics, interests, and behaviours of your potential customers. Tailor your content to resonate with them, and choose the platforms that align with your audience’s preferences.

Consistent Branding

Maintain a cohesive brand image across all social media platforms. Use the same logo, colours, and tone of voice to establish a recognisable and trustworthy presence. Consistency fosters brand loyalty and helps customers easily identify your franchise among the sea of online content.

Top Tip

“Don’t get caught up in creating lots of fancy graphics! This is a waste of your precious time and energy. Utilise the graphics already created and supplied as part of the Franchise and focus on getting your name out there through sharing and contributing in groups. Social media is about being social, so focus on that and have a strategy to get your numbers up!” Faye Smith – Franchisor of Nature Makers

Content Is King

Create engaging and relevant content that adds value to your audience’s lives. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, highlight success stories, and provide useful information. Utilise a mix of images, videos, and text to keep your content diverse and interesting.

Posting Frequency

Finding the right posting frequency is crucial. Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive posts, as this may lead to unfollows. Conversely, posting too infrequently can result in your brand being forgotten. Aim for a consistent and sustainable posting schedule.

Interact With Your Audience

Social media is a two-way street. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions. Engage with your audience by asking questions, running polls, and encouraging user-generated content. Building a community around your franchise fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty.

Top Tip

“Choose the platform where your customers or clients are ‘hanging out’.  If it is business to business then maybe LinkedIn is preferable or if you are a children’s activity provider then Facebook would be the platform to reach parents.

Your posts should have a clear objective and be varied – some to raise brand awareness and others to encourage people to ‘buy’ your product or service.  

Don’t just sell sell sell – use social platforms to build the ‘know, like and trust’ factor and ensure that you are providing value and serving your online community.

As a Franchise, we understand how important social media is and provide specific training at the outset from specialist consultants to ensure that our Franchisees understand the options and can carve out their strategy.  

It can be a minefield and overwhelming but being consistent and continue to review and adjust your strategy is key.” Tessa Hawes, Founder & CEO @ MiniMe Mindfulness®

Use Analytics

Leverage the analytics tools provided by each social media platform to track the performance of your content. Analysing metrics such as engagement, reach, and follower growth can help you refine your strategy and focus on what works best for your franchise.

Paid Advertising

Consider investing in paid advertising to boost your reach. Social media platforms offer targeted advertising options that allow you to reach specific demographics, increasing the likelihood of attracting potential customers. Set clear objectives and monitor the return on investment (ROI) to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Avoid Controversial Topics

Steer clear of controversial or polarising topics that may alienate your audience. While it’s essential to be authentic, it’s equally important to maintain a positive and inclusive brand image.

Top Tip

“Always check you’re tweeting from the right account. My personal Twitter/X account is definitely more about political and environmental issues these days. DfE do follow my personal account and I firmly believe that this has affected Tagtiv8 contracts.” Bryn – Founder – Tagtiv8

Don’t Ignore Negative Feedback

Address negative feedback promptly and professionally. Ignoring or deleting negative comments can harm your reputation. Instead, use these situations as opportunities to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and problem resolution.

Top Tip

“Remember to be YOU! Be honest, empathise, be supportive. Teaching is tough, even more so now than ever before. Listen to the current issues and suggest solutions, signpost teachers to other providers who may be able to help.” Bryn – Founder – Tagtiv8

Stay Informed On Platform Updates

Social media platforms are continually evolving. Stay informed about updates, new features, and changes to algorithms. Adapting to these changes will help you stay ahead of the curve and maximise your visibility.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating the world of social media requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. By understanding your audience, maintaining consistent branding, creating engaging content, and staying informed, your new UK franchise can build a strong online presence and connect with customers in meaningful ways. 

Embrace the opportunities that social media presents, and watch your franchise flourish in the digital landscape. Best of luck!

If you are still considering a franchise opportunity, Did Teach works with the best franchisees for teachers. These franchises have either been set up by a former teacher or have teachers at their core. All the franchisors we work with are more than happy to speak with you about your options, so feel free to get in contact and strategise.

Visit: Franchise Opportunities